NEDUM ONUOHA will be thrust straight back into the heat of battle in this weekend's Wear-Tyne derby.

The on-loan Manchester City defender has missed the last three games with a hamstring problem but is set to give Sunderland boss Steve Bruce a huge boost by returning to action in Sunday’s crucial clash against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light.

Onuoha suffered the injury in the Black Cats’ home defeat against Blackpool just before the turn of the year and sat out the wins over Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa and the FA Cup exit to Notts County.

However, the 24-year-old is now expected to reclaim the right-back berth he has made his own this season, allowing Phil Bardsley to revert to the left-back role in which he has excelled.

With Titus Bramble continuing to partner Anton Ferdinand in the centre, that means Sunderland's defence – which has kept 11 clean sheets in 22 league games this term - has a more familiar look than in recent weeks.

Bruce said: “Onuoha should be ready to come back.

“He has been out for a while and he had a chance of playing in the FA Cup against Notts County last Saturday.

“However, I thought it better to make sure he was fully recovered and raring to go for the derby.

“Nedum has been an important player for us this season, playing mainly at right-back, and his pace will be needed against Jonas Gutierrez.

“We have kept clean sheets in half our games this season which is a very good record, and Nedum has been a big part of that.”

Bruce is also holding out hope skipper Lee Cattermole and forward Danny Welbeck could recover from injury in time to feature.

Cattermole picked up a back problem against Blackpool a fortnight ago, while Welbeck suffered a hamstring problem at Villa Park a week ago.

Both were expected to be out for several weeks. but are responding well to treatment and Bruce says they are '50-50' to figure against the Magpies.

He added: “Catts and Danny both have a chance.

“They are on the fringes of things and I will wait and see how they are nearer the weekend.

“I will make Thursday the cut-off day, and if they are not ready by then they will not play.

“They are hugely important players for us, though, and if they are fit fantastic.”

Centre-back John Mensah is also working his way back towards full fitness after almost a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury.